I Don't Know Anymore
Reactions to Moyong Ryu’s words split sharply into two camps.
“You’re Moyong Ryu’s younger brother…?”
That was the waiter’s reaction, and—
“Are you out of your mind? Why the hell would you be my older brother?”
That was mine.
Moyong Ryu stared at me blankly.
“You’re taking my side right now and you say something like that? What kind of position does that put me in?”
He waved the waiter away.
I answered curtly.
“Don’t say things that’ll make other people misunderstand.”
“Well, you’re free to talk however you want.”
Moyong Ryu tilted his head.
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold. What’s the food ever done to deserve that?”
I rolled my eyes left and right, cooling my head.
Thinking about it calmly, nothing he said was wrong. The food cooling in real time had committed no crime. And my exhausted body needed recovery. Proper food was important for recovery.
I forced my mouth open with difficulty.
“Th-then… maybe just one bite?”
“…What were you gonna do if I hadn’t kept pushing the food on you?”
I ate and ate. Chewed and chewed. It felt like there was a hole in my stomach. I never knew food could taste this good.
Until now, food to me had been nothing more than fuel I forced into my mouth so my body could move. I’d never eaten while savoring the taste.
“Putting meat on the noodles makes it really delicious.”
“You really are… Hah, never mind.”
Moyong Ryu propped his chin and muttered. Having nothing to say, I just buried my head and ate. I picked up the fried rice.
Moyong Ryu lifted a bowl of meat in thick broth and poured it over the fried rice.
“What are you—”
“It tastes better this way.”
I started to flare up, then just buried my nose and ate. I admit it. Whatever else, when it comes to food, that bastard knows better than me.
I mixed the fried rice and meat. It looked unappetizing. But once, just once, I’d try it and see…
“This is insanely good.”
“About the cost of the food you’re eating right now.”
My chopsticks suddenly slowed. I stopped chewing and looked at him.
“You said you weren’t taking money.”
“I’m not talking about money.”
“Then what?”
“Just one favor you can refuse. Listening once won’t kill you, right?”
Clack. My chopsticks hit the ceramic bowl with a dry sound.
“Bullsh—”
“Don’t get up and storm out until the story’s over. That’s all.”
Our eyes met. One breath. Two breaths.
“If that’s all…”
With a clatter, I started using my chopsticks again. Moyong Ryu smiled with his eyes.
“You’ll listen without getting mad, right?”
“For now.”
“You won’t flip the table halfway through and stab us with chopsticks, or smash us with a wine bottle, or go crazy with your eyes rolling back and do that psycho shit again, right?”
I lifted my head from the noodle bowl and looked at Moyong Ryu.
“Do I look like that kind of person to you?”
“Yeah. When your eyes roll back, your temper’s a real piece of work.”
“…What do you want to say?”
I gripped the chopsticks properly again. Confirming I was ready to listen, Moyong Ryu opened his mouth.
“First, to prevent any more misunderstandings, I want to make my position clear. About the family head seat of the Moyong Family.”
Straight to the point from the start. I pretended to drink water to hide my startled feelings.
“Of course, if it’s going to First Brother or Second Brother, I think it’d be better if I took it. But let’s be clear on one thing. I’m not particularly greedy for the family head seat. Just…”
Moyong Ryu faded the smile at the corner of his mouth and scratched his head.
“Anyone who targets me, I’ll dig up their grave and tear their corpse to pieces. If I’m involved in the struggle for the family head seat, that’s the only reason.”
“And the misunderstanding you wanted to clear up?”
Moyong Ryu snorted a laugh.
“To put it bluntly. I just think of you as my little brother with a shitty personality.”
“Don’t beat around the bush. You must want something from me. What’s the reason you’re treating me this well? It doesn’t make sense.”
I poured cold water into the teacup and rinsed the greasiness in my mouth.
“Reason?”
“Yeah, the reason. I can’t accept it.”
“Even if I tell you, you absolutely won’t believe it.”
“I’ll listen. Spit it out.”
Moyong Ryu shrugged.
“It was my wish.”
“Wish?”
Pretending not to notice my reaction, Moyong Ryu continued.
“In this world where people backstab for money and power as needed. I just want to make one person. No more, no less—just one person. Someone I can entrust my back to. And if possible… better from blood kin than a complete stranger.”
I picked up one of the sliced fruits set out for dessert.
“You want me to believe that kind of dog-bone-for-bear-soup nonsense?”
“That’s why I said you wouldn’t believe it. Honestly, even I wouldn’t believe it.”
“Hah.”
The world I’d lived in until now was too filthy and desperate to take such words at face value. That’s why the words I spat out couldn’t help but be full of thorns.
“No, even if I concede a hundred times that it’s true. Why me as the target? As you know, I’m a bastard. The concubine’s child you guys always mocked as dirty and whatever.”
“That’s First Brother and Second Brother’s opinion. I’ve never said anything like that. I actually thought that if it was you, a bastard, you’d understand me. Because I’ve also lived alone under the checks of my two older brothers since birth.”
Chewing the fruit in my mouth, I tossed out a line.
“What do you think I’m thinking right now?”
“What the hell is this bastard spouting?”
“Glad my true feelings got through.”
Moyong Ryu shook his head as if exasperated.
“Anyway, what kind of life has this little brat lived to have suspicion stuck in his throat like that?”
“Don’t even dream of being treated as an older brother by me. I absolutely don’t want to get close with the people of the Moyong Family…”
Thwack.
A plate flew and shattered along with the water cup I was holding.
“….”
I got doused with water. I froze in the posture of holding the water cup. Water dripped down my hair.
In one corner, a bald giant was laughing.
“What, did the eldest son of some beggar family pass the civil service exam or something? Making such a racket while stuffing your faces.”
I looked at him. When our eyes met, the bald man rose with a sneering smile, dragging his chair.
“Anyway, low-class families show their true colors no matter where they go.”
A group of what looked like more than seven people stood up behind him and looked this way.
“They’re from the Hwangbo Family.”
One of the three subordinates behind Moyong Ryu whispered. Moyong Ryu looked at me, soaked in water, with an expressionless face. He rummaged in his clothes and took out a handkerchief.
“You okay, shitty little brother?”
“Besides the filthy mood.”
I took the handkerchief and wiped my face. A scrap of food that had been on the plate was wiped onto the handkerchief and fell to the floor.
“Look like a drowned rat, heh heh.”
One of the Hwangbo Family group mimicked me eating like a starved ghost and snickered. The bald man glared with axe eyes.
“What are you gonna do if you stare? You Moyong Family softies.”
Sensing an ominous atmosphere, one of Moyong Ryu’s subordinates hurriedly whispered.
“They still have a grudge from us taking a few trading partners recently, so they’re picking a fight for no reason. Perhaps we should leave the seat.”
The Hwangbo Family, one of the Five Great Families, was famous for fiercely competing with the Moyong Family and being bitter enemies. But hearing it as information and getting caught in the middle and suffering damage myself were as different as heaven and earth.
Seeing my expression, the subordinate hurriedly continued.
“Please endure it. Weapons and internal energy use are prohibited here, so the other side will restrain themselves too. I ask both of you to judge rationally.”
He’s right. We can’t cause an incident that would draw the attention of the great families and surface.
Mumyeong chimed in as well. It wasn’t wrong. If I caused a scene now, the outside would take it not as me as an individual causing trouble, but as a member and young master of the Moyong Family causing trouble. And the main family would never take that well.
Thud thud.
When we showed no reaction, the bald man walked over. His subordinates all stood and followed.
“Heh heh, both of you have such murderous auras it’s scary as hell? Your expressions are a sight. That side must be Moyong Ryu, and this little kid is a face I’ve never seen, but calling him little brother, so that must be the bastard everyone’s been gossiping about?”
The bald man shoved his face right up to me, who was sitting still.
“Looks like the dirty bloodline is trying to stick to Moyong Ryu, who’s somewhat of a real power, to find a way to live. Am I right?”
I averted my eyes. The bald man pressed down on the back of my head with his palm.
“Yeah. Keep your eyes down like that when you walk around. The Moyong Family is annoying enough, but a dirty bloodline like you is a completely different story. If you go around acting up thinking you’re the same rank as us, you’ll die—”
Thwack.
Moyong Ryu, gripping a wine bottle upside down, smashed it into the bald man’s head.
“This bastard, I’ve been listening and listening, and you take people for complete suckers?”
It was instantaneous. Everyone froze. Even I was staring at Moyong Ryu with my mouth open.
“Kyaaak!”
The bald man tumbled while clutching the back of his head. Blood flowed from the back of his head.
“W-we’re screwed.”
One of Moyong Ryu’s party whispered.
“….”
Silence hung in the air. The whispering subordinate of Moyong Ryu, and the Hwangbo Family group, all stood blankly.
“Even if you curse, I’ll curse my own people. Even if this is the territory of Cheonsubaekryeonsa, openly insulting someone else’s family means you want to die today, is that it?”
“Th-this… Moyong Family bastards!”
Blood gushed from the bald man’s neck. His face turned bright red.
Crash!
The Hwangbo Family group sitting behind all overturned their tables and stood up.
“Young Master!”
“How dare you to our Young Master right now!”
The Hwangbo Family people charged with eyes rolled back. The inn flipped. Moyong Ryu also overturned the table.
“Fine, you dog-like Hwangbo Family bastards. Let’s settle this once and for all this time!”
He charged alone into the rushing Hwangbo Family group. They tangled and started fighting. Plates and bowls shattered in all directions.
“P-protect Young Master Moyong Ryu!”
“Damn it!”
Moyong Ryu’s subordinates also kicked off their seats.
Bang! Crunch!
The two factions tangled. Fists and feet, screams filled the surroundings. A free-for-all brawl broke out between the two groups. Tables were smashed. Chairs exploded like fireworks, scattering wooden fragments everywhere. Steamed fish was overturned. Vegetables spilled and soaked into the floorboards with thick broth. Pictures on the walls were torn, and wine bottles all shattered.
Crack, craaack!
Wine bottles, cups, desks, flowerpots—anything that came to hand was swung at each other indiscriminately. Perhaps thanks to the ban on internal energy and weapons, it was a raw, bare-knuckle fight.
S-stop them! Host! If this gets any bigger, everyone will be in trouble!
Even Mumyeong stammered in panic. Both groups had their eyes rolled back. Especially Moyong Ryu and the bald man, the leader of the Hwangbo Family, were fighting like madmen with the most rolled eyes.
I shouted in disbelief at the sight.
“Moyong Ryu, you stupid bastard! You told me to endure, but your own temper is even more of a piece of shit!”
It’s no use. No one is listening.
Now it had become a pride fight between families. Everyone was beating each other to death.
“Aaaagh! My knee!”
“Kill the Moyong Family bastards!”
“You Hwangbo Family cowards pushing with numbers!”
As time passed, the Moyong Family side was outnumbered by the Hwangbo Family. Especially that bald man, presumed to be a young master of the Hwangbo Family, was a giant twice the size of a normal build. There was no way to match him with only external arts without internal energy.
Yet the two groups were clashing purely body to body until the end without using a single strand of internal energy. This was no longer simply a matter of Cheonsubaekryeonsa’s rules. An unspoken rule filled the air densely: in this pure fight of men’s pride, the moment you use internal energy, that guy is the loser, and even if you win, it’s not a real win.
These st-stupid bastards!
There was no way this fight could work. Soon Moyong Ryu was pinned under the bald man and started getting pounded by fists like pot lids.
I hesitated. I couldn’t join in. The moment I joined, I’d get swept up. Unable to join, I just shouted.
“Get up! You were acting all tough, and now you’re getting pinned so weakly!”
Mumyeong spoke quickly.
Host, absolutely do not join! Soon the martial artists of Cheonsubaekryeonsa will suppress it. And everyone will receive heavy punishment.
It was cold and ruthless, but accurate.
Thud, thud!
Moyong Ryu, pinned under the bald man, flailed while bleeding from his nose.
“Keok! Ke… eok!”
Fists rained down nonstop on both of Moyong Ryu’s cheeks. Moyong Ryu pushed the opponent with all his strength. But the bald man of the Hwangbo Family didn’t budge.
I muttered blankly.
“What the hell.”
Mumyeong’s cool voice said.
Host, don’t join. People will come soon.
I clenched my fist. Nails dug into my palm under the fist, and red blood flowed.
“Why are you taking my side when I didn’t even ask you to, you bastard! Wh-when did I ever ask you to take my side?!”
Thudthudthud.
I saw Moyong Ryu getting beaten weakly and losing consciousness. I gritted my teeth.
“Whether I got doused with water or not, what business is it of yours!”
I could see the strength draining from Moyong Ryu’s arms as he tried to push the bald man away. The bald man was forming a smile of triumph. Behind him, I could see Moyong Ryu’s group being pushed back.
“Aaagh!”
Everyone was driven into a corner of the shop.
“Die, you Moyong Family bastards!”
They started getting beaten like dogs by the Hwangbo Family subordinates.
“Aaagh! It hurts! Stop! Stop!”
“Stop what! Today the Moyong Family vermin die!”
They desperately curled up and tried to endure somehow. Kicks and punches from the Hwangbo Family group poured down on them.
“Keuk… keuk…!”
Red blood flowed from my bitten lip. Bloodshot veins rose in both eyes.
“Huff…! Huff! Huff….”
I saw Moyong Ryu’s arms flailing in the air, trying somehow to block the bald man’s fists.
“We lost! Stop!!”
“Ugh! Uuugh!”
Indiscriminate kicks from the Hwangbo Family rained down on Moyong Ryu’s group, who were struggling to cover their bodies somehow.
“Kwahaha! You rat-like Moyong bastard! I’ll teach you a lesson today!”
Laughing madly, the bald man stamped Moyong Ryu’s face repeatedly with his bloodied fist.
“Eeeek…!”
Bloodshot eyes.
Absolutely do not step in. Think big picture. Host! You’re doing well.
I muttered word by word with difficulty.
“Y-yeah…. Anyway, these people and I have nothing to do with…”
Suddenly, coldness was felt along the palm of my hand that was pressing the floor.
“….”
The floor was cool. It was so cool it was like the ondol floor of winter. I remembered the cold winter. The winter when Mother froze to death helplessly.
I raised my head. Moyong Ryu was struggling to open his swelling eyes and flapping both hands to somehow block the fists. Fists stamped down on them. And gradually, his flapping hands stopped. He took the fists on his face without resistance.
That sight. That helpless sight. It was exactly the same as back then—
“…Hah.”
I let out a hollow laugh and a sigh.
“Now I don’t know either.”
I grabbed a chair that was rolling on the floor.
No, Host, endu—!
“Get your hands off him, you son of a bitch!!”
The chair in my hand smashed down on the bald man’s back of the head. Fragments of the chair flew. Beyond the fragments, the bald man collapsed while clutching the back of his head. The pinned Moyong Ryu stared blankly. Everyone stared blankly.
Mumyeong sighed quietly.
We’re screwed.